Tag: shiva

Om Namah Shivaya! Shiva is the most popular of all Hindu deities & is worshiped throughout the Indian subcontinent and greater southeast Asia. He is revered as the lord who is responsible for maintaining the cycle of existence; including its beginning and conclusion. Being the patron deity of yoga & meditation, he is considered to be ultimately formless, omnipresent, and the Atman(eternal soul) of the universe itself. In his less abstract depictions, he is depicted as Bholenath, an ascetic yogi who lives in the Himalayas. It is said that lord Shiva grants his followers Moksha(liberation from reincarnation), & eternal happiness and bliss. In this article, one can find some useful vastu & traditional tips and guidelines on Shiva murtis!

Where to place Shiva’s murti in the home

According to Vastu Shastra(traditional vedic architecture) there are specific places that one should seat the murti in order to reinforce & strengthen the vibrations & energies they give off. It is most ideal to place lord Shiva &|or his Lingam in the northeastern most part of the mandir or whatever space chosen; as is tradition with most murtis. Another reason for this is that it is said lord Shiva & goddess Parvati reside on mount Kailash and that the symbolic placing of Shiva, Ganesh, & Parvati murtis in northeastern corners is done in homage to this myth.

To Shiva Lingam, or not to Shiva Lingam? That is the question.

To answer that question simply: yes. Definitely yes. It’s not exactly a shrine to Shiva without his most sacred symbol. The Lingam stone is an abstract representation of the deva and is considered as a literal manifestation of Shiva’s omnipresence & formlessness. There are many myths about the do’s & don’ts of placing lord Shiva in the mandir, and the biggest myth is that you should only keep a single image of Shiva as multiple murtis cause a disruption in the mandir’s vibrations. This is not exactly so. Though Lingas are generally kept somewhat secluded in the mandir, it is not uncommon to have a second murti of Shiva-ji meditating or in his Nataraja(cosmic dance) posture raised on a platform & placed immediately behind the Lingam or adjacent to it.

General upkeep

The general upkeep of Shiva murtis in the home mandir is incredibly important! Thankfully, Shiva isn’t a very difficult deva to appease. Simply make sure the mandir is always clean, offer puja at least once a week, and make sure to meditate in front of the murti daily; once just after waking & again just before bed. The only offerings that are necessary for Shiv puja are water, uncooked rice, flowers, incense, and vibhuti(holy ash). One should also always try to keep a small candle or diya(brass oil lamp) lit next to the Shiva murti|Shiv Lingam; however, this is not absolutely necessary as sometimes it can be a fire hazard. It’s mainly a traditional thing.

Maha Shivarathri is the most auspicious of festivals dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Here are 5 Shiva Mantras to help you celebrate Lord Shiva! It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva appeared to the world in the form of a pillar of light, or Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva, the primordial teacher, is believed to be easily pleased; thus, any worship offered to him – regardless of its simplicity or grandeur – is thought to bring about great merit. All across India, and in many Hindu communities around the world, nightlong vigils are observed in honor of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer abhisheka, or a ritual bath, to bronze and stone sculptures of Lord Shiva in his many forms. Among the most popular of the forms that receive worship on this day are the Shiva Linga, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Bhairava, and Lord Somaskanda.

Worship of Shiva Linga

Since Shiva is easily pleased, offering milk, water, leaves, flowers, clothes, fruits, or even an oil lamp is commendable. Simply meditating upon the form of Shiva with a pure mind and utmost devotion is considered the highest form of worship. The sage Adi Shankara wrote Shiva Manasa Puja as an affirmation of this notion. In this beautifully composed hymn, Shankara performs the Puja of Lord Shiva with vivid and devout imagination. Reciting this hymn on the night of Maha Shivarathri is the best way to begin or end the night’s festivities!

When you visit any temple dedicated to the god Shiva, you are bound to see the peculiar form of Lord Bhairava. He is a very auspicious form of Shiva, and represents protection and security. The word Bhairava literally means one who shouts the sound “bai.” “Bai” is an onomatopoeia; it’s basically the Indian equivalent for the “ruff” sound used in common parlance, which we associate with a dog barking. This is an appropriate name for this form of Shiva, since he is either represented as a dog or as accompanied by a dog. In order to enter a temple dedicated to Shiva, you need to have the permission of Bhairava.

Kala Bhairava at Varanasi

He functions as a protector deity and as a temple guardian. In fact, there is a popular belief that the city of Varanasi (also known as Benares and Kashi) is a temple in and of itself, and Bhairava in his form as Kalabhairava is the gatekeeper. Entering the city of Varanasi is considered to be very difficult, so those pilgrims who do enter the city offer flowers, oil, and food to Lord Kalabhairava as a token of appreciation. Kala means both time as well as the color black. In many popular folktales, Kalabhairava roams the city of Varanasi as a black dog. There are various forms of Bhairava, 64 to be exact. Of these 64 Bhairavas, there are eight distinct forms and eight Bhairava who fall under each of these categories. This Thai Brass statue of Bhairava represents the group of Bhairavas known as Vatuka Bhairava.

The popular formula for meditation of this form describes this deity as red in complexion with scattered, matted red dreadlocks. He has three eyes and carries a skull cap, trident, drum, and noose. In a temple, this form of Bhairava would be placed in a niche on the outer wall, surrounded by carvings of different forms of Shiva’s attendants. This form of the god is nude and his vehicle is a dog. While many people believe that Bhairava is a violent form of Shiva, he is indeed a benevolent form to the sincere devotee. The noose in his upper left hand signifies the bonds we have in the world. Family, wealth, desires, and material objects are all things that bind a man to the world. As such, men and all other creatures bound to these objects and relationships are known as “pashu” or literally those bound by the noose.

Being unclad, and having no possessions, Bhairava is known as “Pashupathi” or the Lord of those bound by the noose. Devotees who invoke Bhairava in their lives are blessed by him and receive his protection.In some households across India, a statue of either a dog or of Bhairava is installed in the garden or near the front door. Just as he protects the temple, he also protects the house from evil spirits and bad energy.

The vast corpus of Vedic literature refers to various sportive forms, or leela murtis, of Lord Shiva. One of the most important of these forms is that of Shiva as the destroyer of death. Kalasamhara Murti or Kalantaka Murti is the form of Shiva in the act of vanquishing the god of death and righteousness, Yama-Dharma Raja.

The Puranas tell the story of Saint Mrikandu and his virtuous wife Niyati who yearned for a child. They performed austere penances to Lord Shiva to bless them with issue. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva appeared to the couple and asked them whether they wanted a wicked son who would live till old age, or a pious son who would live until 16 years of age. They requested the latter, and thus Markandeya was born.

On the eve of his 16th birthday, Markandeya embarked on a vigil to Lord Shiva. Yama – endeavoring to take Markandeya’s life away – entered the altar, as he was deep in meditation to Lord Shiva. Yama took his noose and threw it around Markandeya’s neck. Aghast, Markandeya grabbed the Shiva Lingam and began singing to his protector.

“Oh Shiva, adorning the moon as your crown, protect me! Save me!”

With the noose tight around his neck, Markandeya hugged the Shiva Lingam. Consequently Yama’s noose touched the Lingam, and enraged Parvathi. Immediately the Lingam split and Shiva emerged. Parvathi, who resides in the left side of Shiva, kicked Yama to the ground to protect her devotee. Shiva lifted his trident and pierced Yama’s chest, leaving the God of death for dead.

Afterwards, Shiva picked Markandeya up and placed him in his lap. He asked Markandeya to request a boon. Markandeya, from the kindness of his heart asked Shiva to resuscitate Yama.

After being revived, Yama – the king of righteousness – innocently asked what he had done wrong to warrant such a gruesome death. Shiva responded that Yama’s only fault was misunderstanding Shiva’s boon to Saint Mrikandu. Markandeya was to live only till age 16, and thereafter remain immortal and ever youthful as a 16 year old.

This event is said to have occurred in Thirukkadaiyur, Tamil Nadu, where the entire story is captured magnificently in bronze. The statue of Kalasamhara Murti in Thirukkadaiyur is the reference for South Indian bronze artists who wish to capture this beautiful form of Shiva.

Since the depiction of death is deemed inauspicious within the Vedic temple, in Thirukkadaiyur the body of Yama is covered with a silk cloth and removed only occasionally. Thus most idols meant for home worship do not actually depict Yama’s death, but rather the moments leading up to it. As is the case with any powerful form of Shiva, a statue of Parvathi is often kept to the left of it to bring peace to his power.

Meaning: Adoration to Lord Kartikeya, who is also known as Skanda. He is the one who holds the staff of intelligence, and holds the beautiful beloved of Goddess Vallii. She is the enchanter of the mind of Goddess Devasena. I offer adorations repeatedly to that Divine Kartikeya.

3. Sri Subramanya Pancharatnam: This mantra is also known as Murugan Pancharatna stotram and is a six-verse prayer chanted everyday by devotees, especially on Sashti Viratham days.

Shadananam, chandana lepithangam,

Mahorasam, divya mayoora vahanam,

Rudrasya soonum, sura loka nadam,

Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye

Jajwalyamanam, sura brunda vandyam,

Kumaradhara thada mandirastham,

Kandarpa roopam, Kamaneeya gathram,

Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye

Dwishadbujam dwadasa divya nethram,

Trayee thanum soolamasim dadhanam,

Seshavatharam, kamaneeya roopam,

Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye

Surari gorahava shobhamanam,

Surothamam shakthi daram kumaram,

Sudhaara shakthyayudha shobhi hastham,

Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye

Ishtartha sidhi pradha meesa puthram,

Ishtannadham bhoosura kamadhenum,

Gangodbhavam sarva jananukoolam,

Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye

Ya slokamidham padatheeha bhakthya,

Brahmanya deva nivesitha manasa san,

Prapnothi bhogamakilam bhuvi yadyadishtam,

Anthe cha gachathi muda guha samyameva

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4. Sri Subramanya Karavalambam : This is one of popular mantra of Lord Subramanya, which is chanted by almost all devotees.

Hey Swaminatha karunakara deena bandho,

Sree Paravatheesa mukha pankaja padma bandho,

Sreesadhi deva gana poojitha pada padma,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Devadhi deva sutha, deva ganadhi nadha,

Devendra vandhya mrudu pankaja manju pada,

Devarshi narada muneendra sugeetha keerthe,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Nithyanna dana nirathakhila roga harin,

Bhagya pradhana paripooritha bhaktha kama,

Sruthyagama pranava vachya nija swaroopa,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Krouncha surendra parigandana sakthi soola,

Chapa thi sasthra parimanditha divya panai,

Sree kundaleesa drutha thunda sikheendra vaha,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Devadhi deva radha mandala Madhya methya,

Devendra peeda nagaram druda chapa hastha,

Sooram nihathya sura kotibhiradyamana,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Heeradhi rathna vara yuktha kireeda hara,

Keyura kundala lasath kavachabhirama,

Hey Veera tharaka jayaa amara brunda vandhya,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Panchaksharadhi manu manthritha ganga thoyai,

Panchamruthai praudhithendra mukhair muneendryai,

Pattabhishiktha maghavatha nayasa nadha,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham

Sree karthikeya karunamrutha poorna drushtya,

Kamadhi roga kalushi krutha drushta chitham,

Sikthwa thu mamava kala nidhi koti kantha,

Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham.

5. Sri Subrahmanya Ashtottara Sata Namavali: We all know the fact that the names of Lord Skanda are innumerable, but in this sthothram the 108 of His descriptive names are enumerated.

1. Om Skandaya namaha

Hail Skanda! Vanquisher of the mighty foes

2. Om Guhaya namaha

Praise be to the Invisible Lord—He who abides in the hearts of devotees true

3. Om Shanmukhaya namaha

Praise be to the six-faced one

4. Om Balanetrasutaya namaha

Praise be to the Son of the Three-Eyed Siva

5.Om Prabhave namaha

Praise be to the Lord Supreme

6. Om Pingalaya namaha

Praise be to the golden-hued one

7.Om Krittikasunave namaha

Hail to the Son of the starry maids

8. Om Sikhivahanaya namaha

Hail to the rider on the peacock

9. Om Dvinadbhujaya namaha

Hail to the Lord with the twelve hands

10. Om Dvinannetraya namaha

Hail to the Lord with the twelve eyes

11. Om Saktidharaya namaha

Hail to the wielder of the Lance!

12. Om Pisidasaprabhajanaya namaha

Praise be to the destroyer of the Asuras

13.Om Tarakasurasamharine namaha

Praise be to the slāyar of Tārakāsuran

14. Om Raksobalavimardanaya namaha

Praise be to the Victor of the Asuric forces

15. Om Mattaya namaha

Praise be to the Lord of felicity

16. Om Pramattaya namaha

Praise be to the Lord of bliss

17. Om Unmattaya namaha

Hail Oh passionate One

18. Om Surasainyasuraksakaya namaha

Hail Saviour of the Devas

19. Om Devasenapataye namaha

Hail Commander of the Heavenly hosts

20. Om Pragnya namaha

Hail, Lord of Wisdom

21. Om Kripalave namaha

Hail Compassionate One

22. Om Bhaktavatsalāya namaha

Lover of devout ones, Praise be to Thee

23. Om Umasutaya namaha

Son of Uma—Praise be to Thee

24. Om Saktidharaya namaha

Mighty Lord—Praise be to Thee

25. Om Kumaraya namaha

Eternal youth—Praise be to Thee

26. Om Krauncadharanaya namaha

He who reft asunder the Krauñca Mount—Praise be to Thee

27. Om Senanye namaha

Praise be to the Army Chief

28. Om Agnijanmane namaha

To the effulgence of Fire, all Hail

29. Om Visakhaya namaha

To Him who shone on the astral Visakha—All Hail

30. Om Shankaratmajaya namaha

Thou Son of Sankara—All Hail

31. Om Sivasvamine namaha

Thou Preceptor of Siva—All Hail

32. Om Ganaswamine namaha

On Lord of the Ganas—All Hail

33. Om Sarvasvamine namaha

On Lord, God Almighty, All Hail

34. Om Sanatanaya namaha

Oh Lord eternal, Praise be to Thee

35. Om Anantasaktaye namaha

Thou potent Lord, Praise be to Thee

36. Om Aksobhyaya namaha

Unsullied by arrows art Thou—Praise be to Thee

37. Om Parvatīpriyanandanaya namaha

Thou beloved of Parvati, Praise be to Thee

38. Om Gangasutaya namaha

Oh, son of Goddess Ganga—Praise be to Thee

39. Om Sarodbhutaya namaha

Thou who did’st nestle in the Saravana Lake

40. Om Atmabhuve namaha

Thou Unborn Lord

41. Om Pavakatmajaya namaha

Thou who art born of Fire

42. Om Mayadharaya namaha

Energy Art Thou—Praise be to Thee

43. Om Prajrimbhaya namaha

Praise be to thee Auspicious One

44. Om Ujjrimbhaya namaha

Praise be to the Invincible One

45. Om Kamalasanasamstutaya namaha

Praise be to the Lord extolled by Brahma

46. Om Ekavarnaya namaha

The one Word art Thou—All Hail

47. Om Dvivarnaya namaha

In Two Art Thou—All Hail

48. Om Trivarnaya namaha

Thou Art the Three—All Hail

49. Om Sumanoharaya namaha

Thou Stealer of pure hearts—All Hail

50. Om Caturvarnaya namaha

In four Art Thou—All Hail

51. Om Pancavarnaya namaha

In five letters Art Thou—All Hail

52. Om Prajapataye namaha

Father of all Creation—All Hail

53. Om Trumbaya namaha

Praise be to Thee, Oh Peerless One

54. Om Agnigarbhaya namaha

Thou who dost sustain the fire

55. Om Samigarbhaya namaha

Hail Thou who arose out of the Vanni flame

56. Om Visvaretase namaha

Thou glory of the Absolute Paramasivam, All Hail

57. Om Surarighne namaha

Oh, Subduer of the foes of the Devas, All Hail

58. Om Hiranyavarnaya namaha

Thou resplendent One, All Hail

59. Om Subhakrite namaha

Thou Auspicious One—All Hail

60. Om Vasumate namaha

Thou Oh Splendour of the Vasus All Hail

61. Om Vatuvesabhrite namaha

Praise be to Thee, Oh lover of celibacy

62. Om Bhushane namaha

Thou Luminous Sun—All Hail

63. Om Kapastaye namaha

Thou Effulgence divine, All Hail

64. Om Gahanaya namaha

Thou Omniscient One—All Hail

65. Om Chandravarnaya namaha

Thou Radiance of the Moon—Praise be to Thee

66. Om Kaladharaya namaha

Thou who adorns the crescent—Praise be to Thee

67. Om Mayadharaya namaha

Engergy art Thou—Praise be to Thee

68. Om Mahamayine namaha

Great Artist of Deception too art Thou, Praise be to Thee

69. Om Kaivalyaya namaha

Everlasting joy of attainment—Praise be to Thee

70. Om Sahatatmakaya namaha

Art all-pervading—All Hail

71. Om VisvayOnaye namaha

Source of all Existence—All Hail

72. Om Ameyatmane namaha

Oh, Supreme Splendour, All Hail

73. Om Tejonidhaye namaha

Illumination divine—All Hail

74. Om Anamayaya namaha

Savior of all ills—All Hail

75. Om Parameshtine namaha

Thou art Immaculate Lord, Praise be to Thee

76. Om Parabrahmane namaha

Thou Transcendant One, Praise be to Thee

77. Om Vedagarbhaya namaha

The Source of the Vedas art Thou, Praise be to Thee

78. Om Viratsutaya namaha

Immanent Art Thou in the Universe, Praise be to Thee

79. Om Pulindakanyabhartre namaha

Praise be to the Lord of Valli, the Vedda belle

80. Om Mahasarasvatavradaya namaha

Praise be to the source of Gnosis

81.Om asrita Kiladhatre namaha

Praise be to Him who showers grace on those who seek his solace

82. Om Choraghnaya namaha

Praise be to Him who annihilates those who steal

83. Om Roganasanaya namaha

Praise be to the divine Healer

84. Om Anantamurtaye namaha

Praise be Thine whose forms are endless

85. Om anandaya namaha

Praise be Thine, Oh Thou infinite Bliss

86. Om Shikhandīkritagedanaya namaha

Praise be Thine, Thou Lord of peacock banner!

87. Om Dambhaya namaha

Praise be Thine, Oh lover of gay exuberance

88. Om Paramadambhaya namaha

Praise be Thine, Thou lover of supreme exuberance

89. Om Mahadambhaya namaha

Praise be Thine, Oh Lord of lofty magnificence

90. Om Vrishakapaye namaha

Thou who art the culmination of righteousness—All Hail

91. Om Karanopatadehaya namaha

Thou who deigned embodiment for a cause—All Hail

92. Om Karanatita Vigrahaya namaha

Form transcending causal experience

93. Om Anishvaraya namaha

Oh Eternal peerless plentitude, All Hail

94. Om Amritaya namaha

Thou Ambrosia of Life—All Hail

95.Om Pranaya namaha

Thou life of life, Praise unto Thee

96. Om Pranayamaparayanaya namaha

Thou support of all beings—Praise unto Thee

97. Om Vritakandare namaha

Praise unto Thee who subjugates all hostile forces

98. Om Viraghnaya namaha

Thou vanquisher of heroic opponents, Praise unto Thee

99. Om Raktashyamagalaya namaha

Thou art Love, and of crimson beauty— Praise unto Thee

100. Om Mahate namaha

Oh Consummation of glory, All Praise to Thee

101. Om Subrahmanyaya namaha

We praise Thee, Oh effulgent Radiance

102. Om Paravaraya namaha

Oh Supreme Goodness, Praise unto Thee

103. Om Brahmanyaya namaha

We praise Thee, luminous wisdom serene

104. Om Brahmanapriyaya namaha

Thou who art beloved of seers—Praise unto Thee

105. Om Loka Gurave Namaha

Oh universal Teacher, All Praise to Thee

106. Om Guhapriyaya Namaha

We praise Thee, In-dweller in the core of our hearts

107.Om Aksayaphalapradaya namaha

We praise Thee, Oh bestower of indestructible results ineffable

108.Om Sri Subrahmanyaya namaha

We praise Thee, most glorious effulgent Radiance

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